Summary On 18 December 1994, the bulk carrier EUROPEGASUS, laden with 16,677 metric tonnes of barley from Superior, Wisconsin, was under way in the Seaway bound for berth No. 94 in the Port of Montreal. The EUROPEGASUS exited the St. Lambert Lock under the conduct of a Montreal harbour pilot and proceeded in the Canal de la Rive Sud. When the vessel was about three cables downstream of the end of the lock approach wall, she yawed to port. Although helm and main engine manoeuvres were carried out, the vessel struck the western edge of the canal. The bottom plating was slightly dented and adjacent supports were distorted. The vessel returned to the middle of the channel. There was no injury or pollution as a result of this occurrence. Ce rapport est galement disponible en franais. Factual Information Particulars of the Vessel While the vessel was in the St. Lambert Lock, the Montreal Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) confirmed that berth No. 94 in the harbour was not available and that the vessel had to anchor off Pointe-aux-Trembles. The vessel requested access to the Montreal East anchorage, but the VTC could not confirm the availability of this anchorage before the vessel departed from the lock. The EUROPEGASUS exited the lock in daylight in fair weather. Pilotage was done by visual observation. At 0634(1), the pilot advised Seaway-Beauharnois that the vessel had reached the downstream end of the lock approach wall. The vessel then contacted the VTC to report her position. A radiotelephone conversation ensued over where the vessel would have to anchor in the harbour. The uninterrupted conversation was cut off abruptly at 0638. The EUROPEGASUS yawed to port, and the helmsman put the helm hard-a-starboard, but the vessel did not respond. After being informed of the situation by the officer of the watch, the pilot ordered the helm hard-a-starboard and full speed ahead. It was pointed out to the pilot that the helm was already hard-a-starboard, but the vessel kept on yawing to port. The starboard anchor was ordered dropped, but there were no crew members on the forecastle. The pilot then ordered full speed astern. When the vessel was about three cables downstream of the lock approach wall, in position 4530'30N, 7331'20W, she struck the western edge of the channel and then swung to starboard. When the vessel resumed a course parallel to the channel, the pilot ordered slow speed ahead, followed immediately by dead slow ahead. The vessel returned to the middle of the channel and exited the Canal de la Rive Sud without further incident. The port authorities had reserved the Montreal East anchorage for a vessel downbound in the Seaway behind the EUROPEGASUS. The VTC expected that berth No. 94 would not be free until 0800. The Montreal East anchorage lies off berth No. 94. There were three vessels at the Pointe-aux-Trembles anchorage. The VTC expected them to depart at 0700. This anchorage lies downstream of berth No. 110. The helmsman was using approximately 10 of helm to stay on course and was using the gyrocompass and landmarks as references.